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| The ASRock NUC and NUCS Ultra 300 Box lineup of mini PCs can be equipped with up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory. |
Back during CES 2026, the tech world got a tantalizing glimpse of ASRock’s next-generation mini PC lineup, the NUC Ultra 300 Box series. At the time, details were scarce; we knew they were coming, but the "what" and "how" remained a mystery. Fast forward to today, and the wait is finally over. ASRock has pulled back the curtain, revealing the full, detailed specifications for these compact powerhouses, and they are packing some serious heat.
The headline here is simple: Intel’s latest "Panther Lake" mobile architecture is coming to a desk near you, and in the higher-tier models, it’s bringing a discrete-level graphics solution along for the ride.
Core Ultra X7 and the Arc B390: A Performance Power Couple
The star of the show in the NUC Ultra 300 Box lineup is undoubtedly the processor options. ASRock is offering four distinct variants, split between two performance tiers and two chassis sizes.
For users who need maximum compute and graphical power, the NUC Box 358H and NUCS Box 358H are the ones to watch. These models are equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 X358H, a formidable 16-core CPU. This hybrid architecture breaks down into 4 high-performance cores for heavy lifting, 8 efficiency cores for background tasks, and 4 low-power efficiency cores to handle background tasks while sipping power.
But the CPU isn't the only impressive component in these "358H" models. They also feature the Arc B390 integrated GPU. This isn't your typical integrated graphics. With 12 cores under its belt, ASRock claims the B390 iGPU punches well above its weight class, coming close to the performance of an entry-level discrete laptop GPU, such as the NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop. For a device that fits in the palm of your hand, that level of graphical fidelity opens up doors for light content creation, media work, and even respectable 1080p gaming.
For those with more modest needs, the NUC Box 325 and NUCS Box 325 offer a more budget-friendly entry point. These are powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 325, an 8-core chip. The graphics duty here falls to a 4-core Xe3 iGPU, which ASRock notes should deliver performance comparable to the Radeon 760M found in older mid-range Ryzen APUs—perfect for everyday productivity and media streaming.
NUC vs. NUCS: Size Matters (For I/O)
So, what’s the difference between the "NUC" and the "NUCS"? It all comes down to thickness and port selection. The standard NUC Box measures in at a compact 117.5 x 110 mm, with a height of 49mm. The NUCS Box retains the same footprint but shaves off 11mm, resulting in an ultra-slim 38mm profile.
That slimness, however, comes with a slight trade-off in connectivity. Here is a breakdown of the I/O you can expect on the standard NUC models:
- Audio: Combo audio jack
- Networking: Dual 2.5G Ethernet ports
- Video Out: Dual HDMI 2.1, USB4 (with DP 2.1), and a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port (with DP 1.4a)
- USB: Four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports
If you opt for the slimmer NUCS variant, you lose one of the 2.5G Ethernet ports and one of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports. It’s a classic trade-off: maximum portability versus maximum connectivity.
For a complete visual guide to the chassis and port layouts, you can check out the official product images and documentation on ASRock's product page.
Internal Flexibility and Availability
Despite their small size, both chassis offer impressive internal expansion. They support up to a massive 128GB of DDR5-7200/6400 RAM. Storage is equally future-proofed, with dual M.2 slots: one PCIe Gen 5 x4 (2280) for lightning-fast read and write speeds, and one PCIe Gen 4 x4 (2242) for additional storage.
Wireless connectivity is also cutting-edge, with support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, ensuring you’re ready for the next generation of networking.
As for pricing and availability, ASRock is keeping its cards close to its chest. This is standard practice for hardware aimed at industrial clients, commercial integrators, and enterprise solutions. If you are a business interested in deploying these mini PCs, you will need to reach out to ASRock directly or consult their official page for sales inquiries.
For more detailed specifications and technical documents, you can visit the official ASRock Industrial page for the fanless embedded box PCs here:
[ASRock NUC Ultra 300 Box Official Product Page]
The Consumer Perspective
While the NUC Ultra 300 Box series is targeted primarily at the industrial and commercial sector, it's impossible to ignore the appeal for tech enthusiasts who want a compact, powerful, and visually sleek desktop. The promise of Panther Lake performance paired with an Arc B390 iGPU in a chassis as slim as 38mm is genuinely exciting.
However, for the average consumer or home office user looking for a great mini PC right now, the wait for these industrial releases can be long, and the procurement process complex. If you need a capable, readily available mini PC for daily tasks, streaming, and general productivity, there are excellent options already on the market.
For instance, a device like the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS-powered GMKtec K8 Plus offers fantastic performance for its size and is immediately available for purchase.
[Check the GMKtec K8 Plus on Amazon]
Nevertheless, ASRock’s latest announcement gives us a thrilling look at the future of the mini PC space. With Intel’s next-gen mobile silicon and powerful integrated graphics, the line between a mini PC and a full-fledged gaming or workstation desktop continues to blur. We’ll be waiting eagerly for when these units finally hit the wider market.
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| I/O options for the slimmer NUCS Box Ultra 300 mini PCs. |
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| I/O options for the NUC Box Ultra 300 mini PCs. |
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| The NUCS Ultra mini PC is quite slim, although the vanilla NUC is 11 mm thicker. |